Page 58 of Wylder & the Rising Rockstar
“This is more like a pop-rock song than your usual country.” She ran her hand over the notes.
Luke poured hot almond milk over a powdery substance she supposed was some kind of carob based powder, and she shuddered. “That’s sort of revolting. You know that, right?”
“Would it shock you to learn that the stuff you drink tastes revolting to me?” He slid a steamy mug of proper cocoa across the counter and plopped a bag of marshmallows in front of her.
“You don’t even know what you’re missing.” She inhaled the sweet scent of chocolatey goodness.
“Did you notice your part?” Logan sat next to her, nodding toward the notes.
“I’m not great at reading music, but it looks like you gave me a drum intro and a lead into your solo. That, along with the pace feels more rock-like to me.”
“It is. And wait till you hear it. This is going to be a killer song. It’s so unlike Logan’s normal work. It’s kind of invigorating to write something so different.” Luke scribbled a new line of notes at the bottom of the notebook Wylder sipped her hot cocoa.
“I’d like to think that’s my influence.”
“What parts did you write?” His eyes widened in surprise.
“Logan started it after I pestered him to deal with his emotions, but the second verse and the chorus is mostly mine. It’s a mesh of both of us.”
“That’s … interesting. Very interesting.” He scribbled another note in the book.
“Why do you sound so surprised? Plenty of people write songs.”
“Sure, but not many of them write really good songs. You should be writing for your brother.”
“We used to write all our songs together for our band,Anonymous.” She took another scalding sip, unable to wait for it to cool.
“You were in a band with Beckett?” Luke choked on his vegan hot chocolate.
“Why is that so funny?” She elbowed him in the ribs. “I thought everyone knew that.”
“No, it’s just … you are way too cool to be in a band with Beckett.” He shook his head with a chuckle.
“You would be lucky to be in a band with Beckett.” She jabbed him with her finger. Nobody got to make fun of her brother except her.
“I’m just trying to say I think you’re an excellent songwriter. A fact that will play into my master plan perfectly.”
“You know, I think you’re just making up this secretamazingplan as you go along.”
“You’ll see.”
“All right. Let’s go for it.” She picked up her mug and led the way to the living room. It had changed quite a bit from the last time she’d been here. Logan’s keyboard sat in the corner looking a little sad crowded in with all of Luke’s equipment.
“He’ll be back,” Luke assured her. Taking up his electric guitar, he gestured toward the drum set. “Make yourself at home.”
“Nice kit. You play?” Wylder sat behind the drums, testing out the drum sticks with a quick warm-up.
“Nah, those are Logan’s. He’d stored them at home in Nashville. He’s decent, but it’s his voice that brings the magic.”
Wylder tried not to show her surprise. She knew Logan played several instruments but she hadn’t realized he played drums well enough to own a set. “Let’s run through the new part.” She studied the notebook, trying to dissect her part from the maze of musical notes. She could read music but Luke was working with some major skills she wasn’t used to.
“I’ll play through the first verse, and you just follow my lead.” Luke plugged into the amp and played a few chords to warm up. “Try to keep up.” He gave her an arrogant wink.
“I think I can manage.” She set a beat and followed him into the first verse, singing the words she’d written with Logan. It felt wrong, like an even deeper betrayal. But she trusted Luke in a way. She trusted him not to hurt his brother more than he’d already been hurt.
Wylder lost herself in the music as they built up to the guitar solo. Her hands flew over the drums, matching Luke’s pace. She felt the familiar reverberation in her bones that only came when she played hard. This performance was going to be epic, and she couldn’t wait to share it with Logan.
The door crashed open, and Wylder nearly fell off her stool.
